/ SEPTEMBER 17th PRESS RELEASE /

BichardTrojpresent their first exhibition, with the showing of two remarkable bodies of work they have collaborated on since 2013: ‘The Garden’ and ‘The Illuminations’.. The duo combine portrait photography, digital collage and painting in works that question gender, the role of the art historical nude and the way that narrative is interpreted in contemporary culture.

The artists have combined their relentless analysis of contemporary culture with a more contemplative exploration of gender, role and aesthetics in a series of ambitious works that question both the viewer as well as their individual praxis. This collaborative process is an exchange of visual and narrative fragments that allow for a creative exchange of ideas without the baggage of ego.

2013 Towry Best of East England Award Winner, Iva Troj seamlessly incorporates her vast experience of traditional painting techniques with postmodern elements to create engaging Renaissance-style works that challenge the notion of societal conformity. Born in Bulgaria, based in Scandinavia and the UK, Troj creates work originating fundamentally in the crossing of two realities: the one she grew up in and the one she has embraced. Represented by Roberta Moore Contemporary she recently showed at Mayfair, Imitate Modern and Lloyds Club Gallery London UK.

Photographer and artist John-Paul Bichard has spent much of the past 3 decades at the margins of the art world: exploring the culture of video games, performance, sexual identity and burlesque/drag culture. His works question the assumed power of the gaze in the relationship of viewer to subject, as well as exploring ways in which fragmented narratives are interpreted in contemporary culture. Bichard has exhibited internationally with works in the collections of Tate London, V&A and MOMA New York.

The Garden is a large triptych inspired by The Garden of Earthly Delights by Heironymous Bosch. The Illuminations is an ongoing series of 42 works inspired by Rimbaud’s famous “Les Illuminations”.

The works will be exhibited in a one day preview at Slottet, Stockholm to launch the BichardTroj collaboration.The preview will start at 6.30 with live Jazz from Fräulein Frauke and Janne Sjöblom at 19.00 Bubbles will be served.Press are asked to come at 18.00 to talk with the artists.Fine dress is appreciated.